Asolo Favorites

Favorite thing: On one of our long walks in Asolo, we took the Rialta di Santa Anna, which took us to the Church and Convent of the Capuchin Friars.

We found out that the Church was founded in 1587. It was then abandoned at the end of the 18th Century, and like many other Convents in Italy, it risked being razed to the ground . For a time, it was deserted; then it became barracks and a hospice for the poor. In 1928 it was restored and came under the leadership of the same religious order.

Over the last few years, the Convent has been modenised (mainly on the inside). However, it still has the ancient appearance and is typically Franciscan in appearance and atmosphere.
There is now a memorial tablet which can be found under the atrium (it was once set in the facade of the Church). This tablet has verses by Ada Negri and is dedicated to Eleonora Duse and "to this solitary place".

Behind the Convent is a small cemetary, which for centuries was set aside for the poor. At the start of the 20th Century, a few families from Asolo began to build their first tombs here. Eleonora Duse was fascinated by the site and decided to make it her last resting place. She died in 1924, and, as she wished, is facing Monte Grappa.

Fondest memory: It was such a quiet, restful location when we finally reached the top of the hill and could see the Convent and the small cemetery behind it. The St. Anna Cemetery tomb of Eleonora Duse is quite lovely. It it made of white marble and almost lies flush to the ground. It just has her name and the dates of her birth and her death...very plain considering the flamboyant life she lead in the theatre.

Note: This photo was taken from a booklet given to Allan by the shopkeeper's mother. Our photo did not turn out.